The emerging roles of tRNAs and tRNA-derived fragments during aging: Lessons from studies on model organisms

Aging is a gradual decline of various functions of organisms resulting in diminished abilities to protect against the environmental damage and reinforce the physiological harmony. Age-related functional declines have been thought to be passive and not regulated. However, studies on numerous model organisms, from yeast to mammals, exposed that the mechanisms of lifespan regulation are remarkably conserved throughout the evolution. Following the pioneering genetic studies in C. elegans, it has been shown that the genes related to the longevity are conserved in yeast, flies and mice. For a long time, tRNAs have been only considered as molecules transporting amino acids to the ribosome during translation. Nonetheless, it has become apparent from many biological studies that tRNAs are entangled in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. This review focuses on the emerging roles of tRNA-associated processes in aging and lifespan of model organisms. More specificaly, we present a summary on the importance of tRNA metabolism, epitranscriptome and possible roles of tRNA-derived fragments in aging and lifespan regulation. Better understanding of the basic mechanisms of aging could lead to the development of new diagnostics and treatments for aging-related diseases.